Revelation Answers

An underlying theme in Revelation is the contrast and conflict between two “cities,” New Jerusalem and Babylon .  The  Book of Revelation  often uses several terms and images to portray the same reality. For example, the people of God are called the “ servants of God ,” the “ saints ,” and the “ brethren .” Churches are pictured as “ lampstands ,” priests, and the “ two witnesses .” And the overarching cosmic conflict is presented by contrasting two very different “ cities .” - [ Photo by David Barajas on Unsplash ].

An eagle "flying in mid-heaven" announces the last three trumpets, the "three woes"  –   Revelation 8:13 .  The first four trumpets have sounded. Next, an “ eagle flying in mid-heaven ” announces the final three but calls them “ woes .” Unlike the first four, the plagues unleashed by the last three trumpets afflict the “ inhabitants of the earth ” themselves, whereas the first four damaged the infrastructure on which human society depends – agriculture, commerce, freshwater supplies, and light - [ Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash ].

In Revelation, overcoming saints persevere in the “testimony of Jesus,” no matter the cost, “even unto death.”  Two themes repeat frequently in the  Book of Revelation , “ witness ” and “ overcoming ,” and the two are closely related. Beginning with Jesus in his own “martyrdom” on the Cross, his followers are summoned to persevere in his “ testimony ,” and thereby, they “ overcome ” to emerge victorious, especially in the city of “ New Jerusalem .” They are to “ overcome, just as I overcame .” - [ Photo by  phil thep  on Unsplash ].

Jesus is the promised king from the second Psalm who rules from the messianic throne and “shepherds the nations” – Revelation 1:4-6 .  Revelation declares Jesus to be the “ ruler of the kings of the earth .” His installation on the messianic throne was based on his past death and resurrection; it is an accomplished fact . He is the king promised by Yahweh, the one who reigns over the earth from “ Zion . ” But he rules in paradoxical and unexpected ways - [ Photo by Pawan Sharma on Unsplash ].